Question from Kayleigh: I’ve noticed that sometimes when I look at someone’s profile on Facebook there’s no “Add Friend” button.
I don’t know if it’s always been that way because I just started noticing it a few days ago.
Can you tell me why there’s no “Add Friend” button on those profiles?
Also, is there some other way to send those people a friend request?
Rick’s answer: Kayleigh, when you don’t see an “Add Friend” button on someone’s Facebook profile that user has blocked anyone who isn’t a friend of someone who is already on their Friends list from being able to send them a friend request.
Some people just don’t want to receive friend requests from people they have no existing connection with, and this is Facebook’s way of allowing them to choose that option.
If you’re inclined to do so, you can place a similar restriction on your own account by following the steps below for the device you’re using.
If you use Facebook in a web browser on a laptop or desktop computer:
1 – Click your little profile avatar picture at the right side of the Facebook Menu bar.
2 – Click Settings & Privacy.
3 – Click Settings.
4 – Click the Privacy link in the left-hand column.
5 – Scroll down to the “How People Find and Contact You” section and click Who can send you friend requests?.
6 – Click on Everyone and then select Friends of friends.
If you use the Facebook app on a mobile device:
1 – Tap your little profile avatar picture at the right side of the Facebook Menu bar.
2 – Scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy.
3 – Tap Privacy shortcuts.
4 – Tap See more privacy settings.
5 – Scroll down to the “How People Find and Contact You” section and tap Who can send you friend requests?.
6 – Select Friends of friends.
In a nutshell, that’s how you can prevent “strangers” from seeing an “Add Friend” button on your profile.
To answer your second question, I don’t know of any way to send someone a friend request on Facebook other than clicking the “Add Friend” button (if there is one, of course).
That being said, you can always contact that person via Messenger and ask them to send YOU a friend request.
I hope this helps, Kayleigh. Good luck!